Student Essay Contest: "Why did our Founding Fathers create three branches of government?" - National Center for State Courts

In commemoration of Law Day, May 1, the National Center for State Courts is sponsoring its fifth annual national civics education essay contest for elementary, middle, and high school students. We're asking 3^rd-12^th grade students to answer the following question: Why did our Founding Fathers create three branches of government?

Last year, we received more than 700 entries from 19 states. Please help get the word out about the contest by sharing this information with teachers and schools in your area, and encouraging them to incorporate the separation of powers and our contest question into their lesson plans.

Submissions will be divided into three groups: 3^rd-5^th graders; 6^th-8^th graders; and 9^th-12^th graders. Entries for all grade levels must be 100 words or less and typed and submitted online at www.ncsc.org/contest. Handwritten submissions will also be accepted and may be sent to:
National Center for State Courts
c/o Deirdre Roesch
300 Newport Ave.
Williamsburg, Va. 23185

PRIZES:

• First-place winners will receive a $100 Amazon gift card.
• Second-place winners will receive a $50 Amazon gift card.
• Third-place winners will receive a $25 Amazon gift card.

First- and second-place elementary-school winners also will receive a class set of NCSC�s graphic novel coloring book, Justice Case Files.

­All submissions are due February 23, 2018.

Complete contest details and the contest flyer are available at www.ncsc.org/contest.